After 15 years of serving Pacific Rim cuisine in Hillcrest, Kemo Sabe will be closing in October, when its lease is due to expire.

A creation of the Cohn Restaurant Group, which partnered with chef Deborah Scott, Kemo Sabe may relocate sometime in the future to North County, but the owners have yet to find a suitable location, said David Cohn, co-founder of the Restaurant Group.

Business, he said, started to slide when the restaurant lost its next-door parking lot to Urban Outfitters. In addition, Hillcrest has become saturated with restaurants, making it harder to compete for customers, noted Cohn.

"Since opening 15 years ago, the number of restaurants has increased exponentially," he added. "One of the interesting things about this economy is that as retailers have suffered and a retail spot goes out, a restaurant goes in."

The Cohn Restaurant Group, which last year moved its Corvette Diner from Hillcrest to Liberty Station in Point Loma, will no longer have a presence in Hillcrest once Kemo Sabe closes.

The owners will host a farewell party Oct. 2 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Scott will serve favorite appetizers, including nut-crusted fried brie with honey roasted garlic and jalapeno jelly and Skirts on Fire. For reservations, call 619-220-6802.